presents E EVANGELINE, V THE QUEEN OF MAKE-BELIEVE A 1968. East L.A. explodes in a civil rights movement as Evangeline, a devoted N daughter by day and go-go dancer by night, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. “A living history, combining a piquant upbeat G musical score with salient–People’s resonance World to current E day issues.” L I Created by Theresa CHAVEZ, N Nina Diaz, “The Neighborhood” Louie PÉREZ and bandband LeadLead SingerSinger E Rose PORTILL0 Music by David HIDALGO & Louie PÉREZ of Los Lobos

Heralded by Latino Weekly as a “beautifully crafted multimedia experience,” this PLAY with MUSIC returns to Lincoln Height’s Plaza de la Raza. With its reimagined “Los Lobos songbook as a reverb-drenched 60’s garage band,” NINA DIAZ (Girl in a Coma) fronts “The Neighborhood” band.

April 4-14, 2019 Plaza de la Raza 3540 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Follow us on: @AboutPD presents E V A N EVANGELINE, G E THE QUEEN OF L I N MAKE-BELIEVE E story BY Theresa CHAVEZ, Louie PÉREZ and Rose PORTILLO written BY Theresa CHAVEZ and Rose PORTILLO directed BY Theresa CHAVEZ FEATURING THE MUSIC OF David HIDALGO & Louie PÉREZ cast Elizabeth ALVAREZ……...... …………...... ………………...Alicia Adrian BRIZUELA……………...... …...... …………Edgar/James Sarah CORTEZ*…………...... ………………...Evangeline Moises CASTRO*……………...... ………………...Ray Ariana GONZALEZ……...... …………...Ensemble Lennon HOBSON……...... ………………...Sandy Keyla Monterroso MEJIA……...... ……………...Rita Michael “Naydoe” PINEDO……...... ………Ensemble

“THE NEIGHBORHOOD” BAND Featuring Nina DIAZ as the Lead Singer with Jorge GONZALEZ…………...……...... ………………...Drums Jose ROJAS……...... …………...... …...Bass STAGE MANAGER: Angela SONNER* designers COSTUME DESIGNER LIGHTING DESIGNER Abel ALVARADO Ginevra LOMBARDO CHOREOGRAPHER LIGHTING ASSOCIATE Michele BACHAR Darren REZOWALLI SET DESIGNER VIDEO DESIGNER Gerardo DAVALOS Claudio ROCHA SOUND DESIGNER/OPERATOR VIDEO BOARD OPERATOR Davey DONALDSON Gabriel GARZA

*Appearing through an Agreement between About Productions and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. company’s Young Theaterworks program. Rose him to the drums and the music of James Brown, regular session singer for film and T.V. libraries co-creators has numerous film tv credits - most recently Chuck Berry, and later Jimi Hendrix and Canned and enjoys the experience of sharing his talents on Theresa CHAVEZ (Director, Co-Writer, Producer) appearing in Marvel’s RUNAWAYS - and you’ll hear Heat. Two years into the drums, he picked up his multiple platforms. is About…Productions’ Co-Founder and Producing her voice in an upcoming animation series. Rose first guitar and has never put it down. In addition Artistic Director. Under her direction, the company teaches at Pomona College where she designed to being a master of the guitar, David is also Sarah CORTEZ has engaged with numerous communities, and and directs Theater with Young Audiences now a multi­-instrumentalist, well known for playing (Evangeline) is repped by cultural and educational institutions, locally and in its 12th year. She has graced the stages of the the accordion, violin, cello, requinto jarocho, DDO Artists Agency and nationally, in the production of innovative theaterworks Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Rep, San Diego percussion and drums. Hidalgo and his songwriting Arc Artist Management, is and educational programs. She has directed a Rep, The Old Globe, and NY’s Public Theater. Her compadre Louie Pérez began their collaboration an actress, dancer, martial number of the company’s signature works including artwork has toured nationally and internationally together in high school, composing songs about artist, and bookworm from By the Hand of the Father, and the recent site- through Self-Help Graphics and Art and is known what Pérez says were usually “goofy girls.” As they Houston, Texas. She has specific restaging of They Shoot Mexicans, Don’t for her ‘Rosaic’ work. She received, along with matured so did their subject matter writing for Los been performing since They? at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. A Chavez, the 2012 Playwright’s Arena Lee Melville Lobos, Latin Playboys, and other projects. Poverty, she can remember and is published playwright, she is included in Women Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Los illegal immigration, and other cultural issues have thrilled to be back on the stage. Recent credits Playwrights of Diversity, a book that describes Angeles Theatre Community. made their way into the verses. David’s diverse include: Angie Tribeca (TBS), LA to Vegas (FOX), the work of 90 women identified by professional musicianship has been showcased on multiple and Dear White People (Netflix). Louie PÉREZ (Co-creator, Composer) is theaters or scholars as significant theatre voices. recordings by other artists including Bob Dylan, an American songwriter, percussionist, painter, Chavez is an interdisciplinary theater artist whose and Los Super Seven, the Grammy Award-winning Moises CASTRO (Ray) prose writer and guitarist for the multiple Grammy work has been seen on national television, band of which he is a member. is a returning cast member Award-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- extensively in Southern California, throughout the from the 2018 production of nominated band Los Lobos. As the group’s primary Louie PÉREZ (Songwriter) SEE CO-CREATOR U.S., and in Canada, including the Public Theater Evangeline. Recent credits: lyricist, Pérez is a keen observer of the human (New York), Hogg Auditorium (UT Austin), The Valley of the Heart (Mark condition. His work has been showcased on every Mexican Museum (Chicago), The Getty Center THE CAST Taper Forum), Brown & Out Los Lobos recording, beginning with And A Time To (L.A.), Banff Centre (Alberta, Canada), and the (CASA 0101), The Hotel Dance (1983) and continuing through the band’s Mark Taper Forum (L.A.). From 1991 to 2007, Elizabeth ALVAREZ Play (Playwrights Arena), most recent album, Gates of Gold (2015). Pérez she directed and taught in the California Institute (Alicia) is an actor and Guards at the Taj (A.C.T), also co-wrote songs with his writing partner David of the Arts Interdisciplinary Studies program. In comedian with a love of Milton (PearlD’Amour), Brooklyn Bridge (Seattle Hidalgo for two critically acclaimed albums by addition to her training as a dancer and musician, theater. She has made Children’s Theater), The Motherf**ker with the Hat Latin Playboys, their side project. His songs have she earned her B.F.A. and M.F.A. in photography folks laugh at The Ice (WET), and John Baxter is a Switch Hitter (Intiman). been covered by many artists including Elvis from California Institute of the Arts and an House, Comedy Store and Education: UW, NYU, and AMDA. themoisescastro. Costello, Jerry Garcia, and Robert Plant. He also interdisciplinary B.A. in the social sciences from Flappers to name a few com. Instagram @themoisescastro. Thanks to all. wrote songs for Tony Kushner’s 1994 theatrical UCLA. Chavez is the recipient of a 2012 La Opinión comedy clubs. Elizabeth’s RISE UP. adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s “The Good Person of Mujeres Descatadas (Exceptional Women) Arts stage work has graced Szechwan” at the La Jolla Playhouse. Serving as & Culture Award, and received, along with Rose the stages of Company of Angels, Urban Theater Jorge GONZALEZ art director for all of Los Lobos’ recordings, he was Portillo, the 2012 Playwright’s Arena Lee Melville Movement, Homeward LA and CTG. She is excited (drums) is a musician and nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Boxed Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Los to be a part of this fabulous production. Thankful to audio engineer from San Recording Package for the 2001 “El Cancionero: Angeles Theatre Community. everyone who has supported her passions. Antonio, TX. Jorge enters Más y Más.” As a visual artist, Perez has shown this production with 15+ Rose PORTILLO (Co-Writer) recently performed his painting and sculpture since 1975 in many Adrian BRIZUELA years of performing and “Perfecta” by Diane Rodriguez in MATRIARCH, prominent spaces including The Vincent Price Art (Edgar/James) is a classic- touring experience as a curated by Jesse Bliss. This past fall she returned Museum (L.A.), San Antonio Museum of Art, and El ally trained actor that has professional drummer. to the Mark Taper Forum in Luis Valdez’s VALLEY Museo Del Barrio (N.Y.). played roles on stage from OF THE HEART. In 2017 she played Dolores Shakespeare, Chekov, Miller “Mama” Reyna in the revival of ZOOT SUIT at songwriters and Williams. He received the Mark Taper Forum where almost 40 years his BFA in acting from earlier she originated the role of Della. In 2018 David HIDALGO is the driving vocal and guitar California Institute of the she appeared in the premiere of Cherrie Moraga’s force of East LA’s Los Lobos and Latin Playboys, Arts. At CalArts he worked THE MATHEMATICS of LOVE at Brava Theater in the former known for being on the forefront of on projects such as the original play Los Angeles San Francisco. Rose has a long history of creating blending traditional Mexican music with blues, Founding Families where he acted alongside work with Theresa Chavez for About Productions rock, and country. David started his musical Roger Guenveur Smith. Aside from acting Adrian as actor, writer, and director, and founded the exploration at age 10, when his brother introduced is a recording artist and is involved with music 4 production company Brizz Productions. He is a 5 Nina DIAZ (lead singer) Stage, to commercials and music videos with AT&T, Betty Crocker, and Pepsi. She teaches and is hailed by NPR as “one of artists such as Tomo Nakayama, FOZZY and Veva production/CREATIVE choreographs for several schools in Los Angeles, the two or three most Entertainment. Currently Lennon is working as the Angela SONNER...... including the Westside School of Ballet, where she exciting, scary-good vocalists President and Co-Founder of BoomStick Theater (Stage Manager) is excited is currently choreographing Cabaret. in rock today,” began her (BoomStickTheater.com) which was formed in 2018. to be working again on the musical career fronting the (www.LennonHobson.com IG:@LennondHobson) remount of this fantastic Ginevra LOMBARDO (Lighting Designer) is a critically hailed indie-punk freelance lighting designer for theater, opera and Keyla Monterroso show as her fourth project band, Girl in a Coma, when musical theater based in Los Angeles. Her recent MEJIA (Rita) is proud to with About...Productions. she was only 13. The San credits include: Buyer & Cellar and Taking Sides be performing once again She is also currently Antonio, Texas-based band was famously nurtured (Rubicon Theater) directed by Stephanie Coltrin; in this encore production directing Biola University’s by Joan Jett, opened for Morrissey and Tegan and Theatre 21 production of The Hothouse (Antaeus Theater Company) of Evangeline, The Queen As Sara, and earned multiple Independent Music Awards. and coming up is excited to return directed by Nike Doukas; Unbound (Hudson of Make-Believe. This is It Is In Heaven Her music has been featured in commercials and Theater) directed by Jennifer Chambers; Carousel Keyla’s third professional as a teaching artist and musical theatre director films including Robert Rodriquez’ . Being a (Freud Playhouse) directed by Jeremy Mann; Mille Machete show. Previously she for youth at Performing Arts Workshops. Angela public performer at such an early age took a toll and Miglia (Williamstown Theater Festival) directed by was seen in Playwrights’ would like to thank her husband for his support Nina began finding an outlet as she began writing and love; they are expecting their first child in May. Gabriel Vega Weissman; A Midsummer Night’s Arena production of The Hotel Play directed by new material that was all her own. The creative Dream (Little Theater, UCLA) directed by Ellen Jon Lawrence Rivera, a collaboration written by www.angelasonner.com floodgates opened. What began, in her mind, as a Lauren; I due Figaro (Freud Playhouse) directed by all female playwrights. Keyla is a graduate of The five-track EP, grew into something epic. The Abel ALVARADO (Costume Designer) works Peter Kazaras; and the West Coast premiere of the School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona, CA. resulting debut solo album, “The Beat Is Dead,” was include the award-winning Untitled: Warhol Polish play Trash Story directed by Monica Payne. released on Cosmica Records and received raves Michael “Naydoe” Project, Julius Caesar, Banshee and the West Her assistant lighting designer credits include The from everyone from NPR to Elle to the Austin Chronicle. PINEDO (Ensemble) is Coast Regional Premier of In The Heights. He Fantastiks directed by Seema Sueko; And No a Los Angeles-native perfor- designed for the original works It Happened in More Shall We Part directed by Anne Kauffman; Ariana GONZALEZ mer and actor represented Roswell, A Force To Be Reckoned With, An L.A. Barcelona directed by Trip Cullman; Moon for the (Ensemble) was born and by Go 2 Talent Agency. His Journey, Little Red, Drunk Girl, Boyle Heights, Misbegotten directed by Gordon Edelstein, A Dog’s raised in Venezuela. She talents have brought him to Bad for the Community and Teatro MOZ. He has House directed by Trip Cullman; and The Country received her BFA in stages with Toni Braxton designed Mariela In The Desert, They Shoot House directed by Daniel Sullivan. In addition, Performing Arts, Acting at and Ariana Grande, as well Mexicans Don’t They?, Vietgone and Enemy of Ginevra has worked at the Williamstown Theater AMDA College and Conser- as national commercials for the Pueblo. Video work includes Wardrobe Stylist Festival for 2015 and 2016 seasons, and she holds vatory for the Performing McDonald’s and Apple, and to television shows for Grammy Award nominee Gerardo Ortiz music an MFA in lighting design from UCLA School of Arts in both campuses, NY such as The Late Late Show with James Corden. video “Para Que Lastimarme?” and the web- Theater, Film and Television. and LA. She has worked in Pinedo had the privilege and honor to act and series Café Con Chisme. Recently he designed both cities and her work includes Gerardo DAVALOS (Set Designer) has done set Enter Stage Right dance at the Mark Taper Forum in the revival hit Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The Broadway at 24th St. Theatre, The Skin of Our Teeth, Mr. designs for the following: Los Novios for Ta’ Yer show Zoot Suit and Valley of the Heart under the Musical and produced Brown and Out IV theater Theatre Group; Burns: a Post-Electric Play, The Pilgrims Progress, direction of legendary Luis Valdez and his son festival. A highlight in his work was designing for El Niño Dios Viene a LA, El Agua la among others. She has also worked in independent for Teatro Jornalero Sin Fronteras; , Kinan Valdez. This show is dedicated to his beloved Josefina Lopez’s Real Women Have Curves at the Vida I: Witness films and recently a video for SoulPancake. Ariana and for younger sister Angelina, who was taken from us Pasadena Playhouse. Abel’s credits also include Evangeline, the Queen of Make-Believe is also a writer; currently, she’s developing a stage About... Productions; , ELAPAM/ this year in a hit and run. May her life be a lesson Producing Artistic Director for the L.A.-based TNH Romeo and Juliet play and has also written some short films. You SCLA; , and to all to always be in each moment. Naydoe asks Productions Company. Epitafio Are You Bringing Something can keep up with her work through her website for Off The Tracks. Gerardo is a that we give back to our communities as Angelina from México? arianagonzalez.me and her Instagram @ari.gonza. Michele Bachar MENDICELLI founding member of Off the Tracks Theatre Company. always did. Pay it forward in her honor. And you will ...... (Choreographer) has worked with About Lennon HOBSON start to see the beauty in the little things. Productions since 2006, first as a dancer in Davey DONALDSON (Sound Designer/Operator) (Sandy) is a Los Angeles Jose ROJAS They Shoot Mexicans, Donʼt They? and then as is a sound engineer, musician, and audio/visual based actress, choreo- (bass) is a professional choreographer in the 2012 premiere of Evangeline, wizard. Hailing from Los Angeles, Davey’s passion grapher, producer, and touring and recording Queen of Make Believe at the Bootleg Theater. She for music, song, and art has gifted him with a classically trained dancer musician born and raised is pleased to be back again, drawing on her years career in the technical side of the arts. Performing with a BA in Dance and in East LA. Featured on of experience dancing in numerous film, television, live music drives him, and he is blessed with a Theater from Loyola LA Times, LA Weekly, and music and stage productions. Examples of her wide range of musical skills that he puts to use Marymount University. Forbes Magazine under dance experience include: The Francisco Martinez for himself and other artists. Getting to work with Some of her performance the band Thee Commons. Dancetheatre; The Glen Campbell Show, Disneyʼs performers, musicians, filmmakers, artists, and credits include live events and theater at venues Notable performances: Toy Story at the El Capitan Theater, The Radio City heroes puts a smile on Davey’s face every single such as The El Portal and Rockwell Table & 6 Tropicalia (2017) and Coachella (2017). Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, commercials for day of his life. 7 Claudio ROCHA (Video Designer) was born thrilled to be working on his 6th show for About in Mexico City and has been making films and Productions including the original production of community partners animation for over two decades. Evangeline in 2012. Plaza de la Raza Cultural UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center for the Arts & strives to balance inter- Ilana MINDIOLA (Production Intern) is a Center Gabriel GARZA (Video Board Operator) is an Education is the only disciplinary and applied research recent graduate of UC San Diego. She majored artist, mainly working in sculpture and performance. multidisciplinary community arts venue dedicated in ways that can impact traditional in International Studies with an emphasis in Born and raised in Los Angeles, he has been to serving the Eastside neighborhoods of Los academic departments and disciplines. Anthropology and a minor in Theater. She a video tech at the Museum of Contemporary Angeles. www.plazadelaraza.org Through all of these efforts, the is interested in interdisciplinary theatre, the Art, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Hammer CSRC exemplifies UCLA’s institutional priorities collective formation of memories and identities Museum, and Novo at L.A. Live. Fly PR is dedicated to maximizing – academic excellence, civic engagement, and in oppressed communities and activism and awareness for an international diversity – and remains committed to research Lillian VINCE (Make-Up Consultant) is a resistance through the arts. roster of clients working in music, that makes a difference. makeup and special effects artist working in TV and www.chicano.ucla.edu film, art and books. www.Flypr.net film. She has a theatre background and a focus on Ilka Erren PARDIÑAS, Fly PR (Publicist) providing both makeup services and education to is a California native born to German and Mexican people from all walks of life. Lillian is thrilled to be a immigrant parents. She is a publicity professional small part of Evangeline. based in Los Angeles who designs and implements Grantors campaigns for clients in music, art, film, literature, The EVANGELINE INITIATIVE is generously supported in part by awards from the National Endowment Raul Clayton STAGGS (Casting Director) is a visual arts and business, architecture and design. for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of Los Angeles freelance casting director happy to be working with The firm has run a robust internship program since Department of Cultural Affairs, the Puffin Foundation, Exploring the Arts Foundation, the Pasadena About...Productions again. Raul has cast projects 2005, helping women, LGBTQ and minorities Educational Foundation, and the City of Pasadena. for Playwrights’ Arena, LATC, The Getty Villa, The gain access to music and entertainment Skylight Theatre, Garry Marshall Theatre, Theatre industry career opportunities. Ilka founded the Planners, Bootleg Theatre, The Theatre @ Boston independent publicity firm Fly PR in 1994. Court, and many others all over Los Angeles. He is a 2018 recipient of the Lee Melville Award for Gabriela LÓPEZ DE DENNIS (Graphic Outstanding Contribution to Los Angeles Theatre. Designer) is an award-winning storyteller—writer, producer, director, video editor, actor, content Cecilia BRIZUELA (House Manager) is a creator, visual artist—that has specialized in director, storyteller, videographer, songwriter, and creating for the arts, entertainment and music justice advocate. Co-founder of Brizz Productions a industry for 21 years with her company, Soap leading multimedia company that focuses on video Studio Inc. Gabriela is also the co-founder and and music production. Cecilia’s other passion is C.E.O. of Lone Stars Entertainment, an award- 30th ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS theater. She has worked in various capacities, both winning production company that creates short on and off stage. She is thrilled to be working with films & videos, music videos, documentaries and Divine Angels such wonderful team. more. Gabriela was included in Remezcla’s list Anonymous of “10 Latino Filmmakers You Should Know.” For Exquisite Angels Raul ESPINOZA (Marketing Manager) is a more information and to watch some of her work, theatrical marketing consultant/producer with a Betsy Alfaro visit lonestarsentertainment.com or soapstudioinc. Theresa Chavez and Oscar Garza career spanning 16+ years. Raul was Marketing com. Follow her @thegabriela. Associate/Audience Development Manager at Tracy DiLeo Center Theatre Group (2002 to 2009). As a Lauren Lexton and Kevin MacCarthy consultant, Raul worked on the Broadway Tours With additional gratitude to our MAGNIFICENT, GLORIOUS, and COSMIC ANGELS of In The Heights, West Side Story, and John Leguizamo’s Sexaholix...A Love Story & Ghetto Klown all in L.A. In N.Y. he’s consulted The Public Theater and worked on the 5th Anniversary SPECIAL THANKS Broadway Reunion concert of In The Heights. This Maria Jiménez-Torres, Executive Director of Plaza de la Raza, and the entire staff of past year Raul work on The Untranslatable Secret Plaza including Rebecca Nevarez, Tomas Benitez, and Kay Rosser and her Volunteer team. of Nikki Corona for the Geffen Playhouse and Valley of the Heart by Luis Valdez in association with El Teatro Campesino at the Taper. He’s 8 9 EVANGELINE PRODUCTION HISTORY: The full production of Evangeline, the About…Productions is currently celebrating 30 years of creating original interdisciplinary Queen of Make-Believe premiered in May 2012 to excellent reviews, sold-out houses, and theaterworks and educational programs that provoke new perspectives on history, enthusiastic audience response in a 6-week run at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. humanity, and culture. The award-winning company is dedicated to generating new The production traveled in October 2013 to California’s Central Valley for an educational work through collaboration to create artistic and community dialogue; and believes in outreach tour with Lobos’ musicians David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez performing. From the power of theater to enlighten audiences, transform youth, and celebrate the lives 2010-2011, work-in-progress versions and excerpts were performed at Plaza de la Raza; of seniors. Its theaterworks and educational programs unearth and illuminate cultural the Autry National Center as part of Pacific Standard Time; the Los Angeles Theater Center histories of Latin America, the Southwest, California, and Los Angeles. The company as part of the Los Angeles premiere of Stories & Songs - David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez’ has toured throughout the U.S., and in Canada, and been featured on national television. show chronicling their songwriting history; KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum; and the Music More info at aboutpd.org. Center Plaza as part of the L.A. Arts Month Kick-Off. Theresa CHAVEZ, Producing Artistic Director; The current two-year EVANGELINE INITIATIVE commemorates the 50th Anniversary DeAnne MILLAIS, Administrative Director; Raul ESPINOZA, Marketing Manager; of the 1968 East L.A. Student Walkouts and included the 2018 revised and remounted , Lead Teaching Artist; , production at Plaza de la Raza, featuring Gaby Moreno as lead singer of The Neighborhood Jose GARCIA Marlene Beltran CUAUHTIN band. One of the Initiative’s major goals is to bring this inspiring coming-of-age story Jenny MARLOW, and Estefania G. BAUTISTA, Teaching Artists and powerful community and cultural history to L.A.-area youth and provide them with transformative educational and artistic experiences. The 2019 educational Board of Directors components include: Pat Jinso-Springer, President Veronica Wilson, Secretary • Free Morning Matinees for L.A.-area public high school students. Liane Schirmer, Treasurer • 20-Session Residency at Monterey High School - highest-risk students will Theresa Chavez study Evangeline themes and write plays reflecting their own lives, culminating in a concert reading with professional and student actors; and will attend morning matinee. Follow us on: @AboutPD

About Productions... collaboration...innovation...education • 4-5 Session Evangeline-related Workshops at 5 East L.A. and Pasadena-area high schools including attendance at free morning matinees. aboutpd.org

• Evangeline Discovery Guide - study guide that explores 1960s cultural and political history, and Evangeline narrative; distribution to students to support Residency and Workshop content and exploration.

GIVE THE GIFT OF THEATER TO A STUDENT We are anticipating 400 students will attend our special student matinees of Evangeline, the Queen of Make-Believe through our Young Theaterworks program using theater as an inspiring and transformative learning tool. Every $15 will support one student to attend. And every $300 will support a group of 20 to see the show! A gift in any amount will help give this experience to students - many of whom have never been to the theater. Please visit www.aboutpd.org/donate to share your gift. Every penny counts, and every penny is appreciated. Thank you for being an Angel.

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